Biblical Tour from Bodrum

Pergamon Acropolis - Asclepion - Izmir St.Polycarp Church - Agora

You will be/can be met at your Hotel in Izmir; You will visit two biblical cities, Pergamon and Izmir. We will drive to Pergamon; during your journey Castle Travel, is independent Turkish Local Travel Agency, will give you special Turkey, Pergamon, and Asclepion Maps as a gift so that you can understand this tour better and make your trip more conscious of keeping throughout your Pergamon tour.

Also, your local tour guide will give you lots of information about Pergamon, Asclepion, Alexander The Great, the Red Basilica, and Christianity in Pergamon. The journey from Kusadasi to Pergamon will take around 2 hours. The ruins of Pergamon cross the river in Bergama's pleasant, modern city. The deep-bedded Caicus River flowing through the town adds to Bergama's quiet charms. Pergamon's archaeological sights, towering 330 m above the city, are extensive and impressive. Its ruins, loping over more than 3000 acres, are located on two main sites.

The Acropolis, which looms above the town, and with one world's wealthiest libraries, the ruins make it one of Turkey's finest archaeological sites.

Pergamon Acropolis

Extremely worthwhile UNESCO world heritage site atop a massive hill. The vantage point is incredible. It's high, panoramic views, its establishment, and the whole city complex in itself; you will love this place because it's overlooking the entire town. The theater on the side of the hill is simply amazing. The most notable attraction is the mammoth amphitheater, capable of seating 10.000 spectators. It is the steepest theater whole Mediterranean coastline. Most of the Altar of Zeus, consisting of the remains of a marble offering table, graces the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

The Temple was the "throne of Satan," referred to by St.John in the Book of Revelations. In ancient times, only the library in Alexandria surpassed Pergamon's, which contained more than 200.000 volumes. When the Alexandrians attempted to eclipse the Pergamon book bonanza by limiting the flow of papyrus from the Nile, Pergamon schoolers invented parchment from goat hides. The plot thıckned: when the library's Egyptian rival went up in flames. Marc Antony plundered Pergamon's shelves and presented the pilfered collection to Cleopatra.

Asclepion (Medical Center)

Under the direction of Galen, the most famous physician of the Roman Empire, Pergamon became the center of the cult of Asclepius, the Greek demi-god of healing and eponym of the Asclepion, which was both a temple and place of healing. Allegedly, no patient left here unhealed, though undoubtedly, many were rushed out the back door in the throes of death. An impressive portion of the Asclepion remains, including a marble colonnade street, a theater, a library, a natural spring, and healing rooms.

Kizil Avlu (Red Baslica)

Red Basilica, which was originally built as a second-century temple to the Egyptian God Serapis and converted into a basilica during to Byzantine Empire. Pergamon Acropolis, The Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Emperor Trojan, the Theatre, the Pergamum Library, Arsenals, Red Basilica, and the Ascleion medical center; after visiting all of them, we will drive for lunch. After lunch, drive from Pergamon to Izmir. It is 197 km/122 miles one way and will take around 1.10 hours.

Izmir- Agora and St.Polycarp Church

Izmir is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation mentioned in the Bible as "the suffering church" (Rv 2:8-11).
Our first stop will be St.Polycarp Church, It was built in 1600 in the name of St.polycarp, who was martyred at the age of 86 in Velvet Castle by the Romans in 155 because of his faith, and it is the oldest church in Izmir. The church always attracts the attention of tourists with its different architectural structure and the process it has gone through in history.

Ancient Agora, Agora etymologically means city square, bazaar, marketplace. Agora, which has commercial, judicial, religious, and political functions, is where art is concentrated, and the foundations of philosophy are laid; It is the place where stoas, monuments, altars, and statues are located. It is the heart of traders. It dated from the Roman Period (2nd century AD) and was built on three floors. Smyrna Agora is a very impressive historical place. Columns, tombstones, and texts written on stones are very impressive. Especially the arches and the fountain on the lower floor are wonderful traces of the history of humanity. You should definitely go and see it.

After that, we will drive to Kadifekale; Kadifekale is an excellent world heritage that has survived since Alexander the Great. According to legend, Alexander, who came to Smyrna during the Eastern Campaign, fell asleep while hunting on Pagos Hill and had a dream. In his dream, he said he had to move the city to the foot of this hill. The Transport Process took place after the death of Alexander. The ruins of the castle are still standing. It is a beautiful place to watch Izmir from the top, as a panoramic view.

Konak Square and Clock Tower, Each city has its own characteristics. When Izmir is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the historic clock tower and Konak Square, where this work is located; the square has the feature of a center. In addition, Yalı Mosque, which draws attention with its tiles, Clock tower in the middle, Yali Mosque on one side, retired people sitting and resting in the shade of the plane tree on the other, Kemeraltı bazaar at the back, and the historical square overlooking the sea. End of the day, drives to the Hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.